Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2008-12-29] Moe's Southwest Grill co-founder Matt Andrew, along with partner Tony Lewis, is opening a new made-to-order pizza concept called Maddio's Pizza Joint in Atlanta on January 1, 2009 at 3027 North Druid Hills Road.

Andrews is billing Maddio's Pizza Joint as "New Italian" pizza joint. Customers will be greeted by a pizza maker who offers a choice of dough, sauce, and more than 45 toppings.

Guests can choose one of nine signature pizzas or personalize their pizza starting with the thickness of the crust.

Customers are also offered the option of choosing whole wheat or regular dough, then selecting one of six homemade sauces. Sauce options include Maddio's Signature Tomato-Basil, Herb Pesto, and Spicy Buffalo, among others.

"We have gone to great lengths to develop a recipe for craveable, fresh food topped with an engaging, inviting experience," explains Andrew, president of Maddio's Pizza Joint.

"We learned early on the importance of using fresh ingredients. Our vegetables, which we source locally when available, are delivered daily. We really stepped outside the category in delivering made from scratch products—dough, sauces, dressings … even our meats (chicken and beef) which are 99.9 percent hormone free, hand chopped and marinated fresh daily."

America's Fascination with Pizza

Like many foods, pizza isn't indigenous to America with claims of origin tracing back to Italy, Naples in particular. However no country has done more, not even Italy, to popularize it.

It is said to have made its debut 103 years ago in New York City, by Gennaro Lombardi, but it wasn't until the 1950s when Americans started noticing pizza, made popular by such icons as Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, and Dean Martin whose song, "That's Amore," inspired generations of singing and eating pizza.

Today, approximately three billion pizzas are sold in the U.S. annually. Pizza accounts for 13 percent of all restaurant orders, trailing hamburgers and cheeseburgers by just a few percentage points.

Creating A Next Generation Pizzeria Working closely with Andrew and Lewis is long-time restaurant design and commercial developer, Rob McKerrow, who was been challenged with creating a distinct atmosphere that delivers a vibrant, contemporary pizza joint experience that's a departure from the typical Americanized pizza parlor.

"Because our customers interact with the pizza maker from the time they enter, Rob (McKerrow) paid special attention to the personality of the kitchen—it's modern, clean and inviting," explains Andrew.

"He has done an amazing job of tying in marble, steel and woods to create a palette that's new Italian … something Maddio's can own. And he did it within the tight parameters Lewis set to meet the speed and flow requirements the operation team needs to fulfill the customer experience."

Maddio's believes customers will not only love the personalization, the food, the speed and the décor, they believe pizza lovers will appreciate the significant choices on cheeses (including Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Feta and Ricotta), veggies (including Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Peppers, Mandarin Oranges) and meats (including Chicken Apple Sausage, Jerk Chicken and Canadian Bacon). Of course, the team of pizza makers offers a proud menu of signature pizzas, including the Steak & Blue, Southwest Baja, Chicken Club and Portobello Pesto.

"We also studied the customer's experience with toppings at other pizza restaurants and chose to deviate from the category norm," adds Lewis, who shares a Moe's Southwest Grill history with Andrew among other restaurants. "All of our toppings are premium because they are the highest quality products, but our pricing is not. Also, we offer any three toppings with every pizza, reinforcing the idea of choice without surprises at the register."

In the instance that pizza lovers or their friends want to opt for a fresh salad or toasted sub, the same attention has gone into choosing fresh ingredients, fresh baked breads and homemade dressings. Salads are healthy in serving size, including Maddio's House, the Basil Chicken Salad and the Santa Fe to name a few. With a choice of white or wheat baked sub rolls, guests can enjoy one of six toasted subs, including the Tuscan Meatball, Maddio's Cheese Steak (with steak or chicken), a Garden Veggie and the classic Italian. All subs and salads are priced at just $6.49.

Maddio's also serves a kids meal—six-inch pizza with one topping and a drink for $2.99. Its Apple Crisp Dessert Pizza is the featured treat, along with brownies and chocolate cookies. Maddio's also serves ice cold draft and bottle beer, wine, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, fresh brewed tea, bottled water and healthy juices.

In the former Mama Fu's in Toco Hills will be Maddio's Pizza Joint. No word on why the name has already been changed from "Mattio's" to "Maddio's", but perhaps one existed already. Former Fu's and current Moe's franchisee Tony Lewis has brought on a few other former Raving Brands employees to launch the new concept. No word on an opening date but from the looks of it, an opening may take place sometime in January.

Margaret Kavanaugh (left) and Bonnie Blackburn (second from left) have an unusual Christmas tradition. They help wash dishes at the Decatur Waffle House, where they are regular customers. HYOSUB SHIN / hshin@ajc.com

Happiest of New Years to all our friends and wonderful customers!From Mingei World Arts

Thanks from the bottoms of our hearts for your support and friendship during this challenging year. We really do appreciate your choosing to shop with us this holiday season. We'll be here in 2009!

Here's to a better New Year for all of us!

Come on in and help us clean out so we can bring in more goodies. Our holiday items are now marked down 50%, and a few other items around the store are discounted, too.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 10. We'll be hosting a sneak preview for Sweetie's Sugar Scrub, a wonderful local product that will be in the swag bags for Sundance a week later! Our friend Lisa Callens, who developed the scrub, works with Bedouin women in Morocco to source the special oils she uses in her remarkable scrub. Indulge yourself a little to start '09! Meet her and try it out from 1-4pm. Read about it here!

And, as a New Year's gift to all of you, see the coupon below! But hurry-- it's only good in 2008!

Oh-- and we'll be closed New Year's Day.

Ann and EllenMingei World Arts

427 Church StreetDecatur, Georgia 30030

Save 20% Happy New Year from Mingei!Take 20% off the full priced item of your choice. In store only.Not applicable to gift certificates, exchanges or any other offer.

No, not that one. The scaled-down replica on Briarcliff Road in DeKalb County.Owner Fred Milani, a builder of luxury homes, has 10 finished houses in the area waiting for buyers, and a lender has threatened foreclosure. He needs money.

So he’s put his home of seven years, the White House, on the market for $9.88 million, the 12th most expensive listing in metro Atlanta. DeKalb’s valuation is much less — $2.8 million.

“I believe in Jesus. He’s always blessed me, and at the last minute he’ll come rescue me,” Milani said Thursday.

The local White House is less than one-third the size of the real thing, but at 16,500 square feet it’s a giant in the neighborhood.

Milani lives near the Clairmont Road/I-85 intersection where traditional ranch homes are giving way to big multistory dwellings. The 57-year-old native of Iran appeared last year on the television show “Nightline” to weigh in on the controversy over McMansions, which critics say is Milani’s specialty.

He last sold a house in September. The construction-loan interest on those 10 empty houses — their average price is $1.3 million — is costing Milani more than $50,000 a month, ReMax agent Shawn Ghiai said.

Another problem Milani faces involves a dispute with a lender over payment on a $1.75 million note. That’s led to the White House being scheduled for foreclosure auction Jan. 6, the research firm Equity Depot says. The sale won’t occur if a settlement is reached.

A November foreclosure sale of the White House was headed off when an agreement was struck on payment of a $1.675 million loan, Milani said.

Who’d want such an expensive property when some experts are saying housing is in a depression? “I only need one person for that house,” Ghiai said.

There’s no For Sale sign on the 2-acre site. And prospective buyers must demonstrate they can afford the White House before getting a tour.

So far, two parties have inspected the property, Ghiai said. A third prospective buyer, from Dubai, has submitted financial statements and plans to visit for a personal look, he said.

The Milani family moved into White House in 2001, about the same time George and Laura Bush took up residence in Washington, D.C.

An architect suggested they build a copy of the White House when Yvonne Milani said she wanted a house with a flat facade and columns, and her husband asked for large but cost-efficient rooms.

The couple visited the President’s home three times to become familiar with its interior and furnishings.

Milani, who’s built some 400 homes over a quarter century, said the next White House owner will be someone relatively unaffected by the country’s economic turmoil.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Click on photo for info.The Decatur Market & Gallery opened its doors on Oct. 3, 2008 as a new co-operative venue for emerging artists and unique artisans of Georgia. The gallery is located in the former Boswell Gallery space at 153 Ponce de Leon Place, Decatur GA 30030. The location is close to Cafe Lilly, Cake & Ale, Natalie's Fish House and Sushi Ave., just one block from the Old Courthouse Square in the "walking district" of the city. Each artist and artisan works in the gallery one day per month so that visitors are constantly greeted by an artist, not a sales person. Artists share space, "floor duty" and participate in special events supporting the Decatur and metro Atlanta arts community. The Gallery has a natural theme and warmth to showcase the mostly self-taught artists and artisans. Guests will view modern abstract paintings, palette knife paintings, landscapes, mixed media, as well as handcrafted mosaic, jewelry, pottery and textiles."

"The Market operates each Friday and Saturday evening (weather permitting) in front of the gallery. Vendors offer handcrafted jewelry, artwork, even baked goods. The Market operates separately from the gallery, but the gallery remains open while the market is held. Restaurant patrons in the area enjoy shopping in the evening, and finding unique gifts handcrafted by local artists.

Artists and artisans who are interested in participating in the Market may send a message to the Gallery on the Contact Us page or call 404-377-0755. There is a nominal participation fee. Tents, weights, and power are provided. Space is limited."

Friday, December 26, 2008

The original five and dime, an American export, failed to keep up with times, experts say

By SHELLEY EMLING

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saturday, December 27, 2008

London — Just shy of its 100th birthday in this country, a beloved U.S. import — Woolworths — is about to vanish.

An enduring fondness for the retail chain’s mix of clothing and housewares — not to mention its popular pick-n-mix sweets counter — has kept it afloat here more than a decade after the business disappeared from the United States.

But the global credit crisis and changing consumer tastes forced Woolworths to file for a form of bankruptcy here last month. The administrators for the collapsed chain, Deloitte & Touche, launched a going-out-of-business sale recently after failing to attract a buyer.

Employees have struggled to keep shelves restocked as bargain hunters have poured into the chain’s 815 stores, eager to take advantage of 50 percent discounts.

One day recently at a Woolworths in Putney, a London suburb, some shelves were empty and clothing and other merchandise was strewn on the floor after being picked over by frenzied customers.

Everywhere, buyers were eager to find bargains. For example, a play kitchen set that was once about $91 had been marked down to about $36. Video games once priced at about $60 had been marked down to less than half that.

Carolyn Fincham was just one customer who said she was sad to see the stores go.

“Woolworths was a place I could go to get just about anything, whether it was shoes or socks or a last-minute birthday gift,” she said. “It’s just a real shame it won’t be around any more.”

Many Britons remember buying their first vinyl single record at a Woolworths. Many mothers say it was where they bought their child’s first school uniform. In recent years, Woolworths became one of the first sellers of Halloween costumes and decorations in Britain. Often it was children who packed the stores on weekends, seeking to spend money on toys and candy.

Remember F.W. Woolworth store located on E. Ponce de Leon Ave.just to the right of where Parker's on Ponce is now located.This is a photo/drawing of Decatur's F.W. Woolworth when they did a remodel for the store front.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy 2009 Everyone,Thanks for your support this holiday season, and for shopping Decatur and coming in to the store. We really appreciate it!So we had some good before the holiday sales, and here are the extra savings we are passing on to you for in store purchases.Clearance prices of 60% - 40% off the last remaining summer wear, certain winter wear, Columbia shoes, some gifts.20% off Columbia upper body wear, Woolrich slippers & scarves, Toms Shoes, City of Decatur long sleeve tees & sweatshirts.10% off Patagonia shoes, Kuhl/Prana/Flyshacker/Dockers upper body wear.Dockers pants and Levi's cords are discounted too! (Savings of 20%-45%)Sizes, styles, and colors are limited.Please return holiday purchased items by Jan 15, 2009 with tags intact and store receipt for store credit or exchange for in store merchandise.We are closing at 5p New Years Eve and will be closed New Years Day.See you in soon!Jeff and GregWhit's End, LLC431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2Decatur, GA(404) 377-3310(404) 377-8335 Faxwhitsenddecatur@bellsouth.netwww.whitsenddecatur.com

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Check out the Christmas decorations inside the boxoffice. Priceless.Photo's are circa 1965Note: You can also see Scott's Pharmacy, this was one of the popular downtown drugstores, Scott's Pharmacy at Sycamore and McDonough, was a inviting place for an ice cream soda on a hot afternoon downtown or after an evening movie at The Decatur Theatre.

The new Fire Station is being built on the same site as the old one on W. Hill Street.Here is some info:Construction of the new fire station is being funded by the City’s capital bond program. LP3 Architects of Decatur designed the building, which is expected to be the City of Decatur’s first LEED certified building. Construction is expected to begin during the week of July 21, 2008 and to last about 10 months.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Sean Drakes / AJC SpecialDarryl Ford, owner and general manager of Stone Mountain Chrysler Jeep Dodge, says it’s important to shore up his business model now to ensure he’s in business when the economy recoversUP CLOSE / DARRYL FORD, owner of Stone Mountain Chrysler Jeep Dodge

By MICHAEL E. KANELLThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, December 21, 2008

It is not the best of times in the automotive industry. But good times or bad, it has been a seven-day-a-week job for Darryl Ford.

And as an entrepreneur, Ford sees opportunity in crisis.For four years the owner and general manager of Stone Mountain Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Ford had grown sales to $50 million last year. But that was before the recession, the credit crisis and the parade of Detroit executives arriving in Washington to plead for government assistance.

Events have changed his business and his cost structure, but not, he says, his work ethic or his philosophy.

Q: As an auto dealer, I’d expect you to have an opinion on the bailout of the auto companies. What do you think?

A: I see government intervention as something that has been going on for some time. It’s nothing new. You’ve got Georgia and Kentucky and Tennessee — incentives and tax breaks to get the companies to move in. Government has been involved in the auto business.

And a healthy auto sector is a vital part of the community, of the market. There are 3, 4, 5 million people that could be affected. If Congress could get away from the notion of the CEOs and think about what is important to all of us.Full story @ AJC

Now it's Glenlake's turn.With the improvements comes a new pool house building for pool.The old pool house is already history.I guess they want the new building for summer 09

Here are the plans from City of Decatur website.

At their regular meeting on February 19, the City Commission approved a master plan and future master plan for Glenlake Park and a budget of $3,000,000 for the first phase of improvements. The approved budget provides funding for improvements to the following features in Glenlake Park:

Glenlake Park is one of Decatur’s most popular and intensively-used parks. Because of funding limits, this park has never been improved like Oakhurst, Ebster and McKoy Parks, which have benefited from numerous community development grants over the last 35 years. The recent City bond referendum provided the first funding for substantial improvements to Glenlake Park in more than 40 years.

It is anticipated that construction of the Glenlake Park improvements will take about a year and will start in September, 2008.

New York PostBy DAVID K. LIFLIGHT FRIGHT: Barbie's a target of Hitchcockian terror.

A scary new version of Barbie is taking wing.

For $40 a pop, grown-up collectors of the iconic Mattel doll can have their favorite blonde, packaged in a box and viciously pecked by birds.

This special "Barbie Collector" model is tailored after Tippi Hedren's role in the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock thriller "The Birds."

"The master of suspense, gave us a tale of terror not soon forgotten in his film 'The Birds,' " according to the Barbie pitch.

"Dressed in a re-creation of the stylish green skirt-suit worn by the film's ill-fated heroine [played by Tippi Hedren] in an iconic scene, Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' Barbie Doll celebrates the 45th anniversary of the acclaimed film."

Makers of the doll warn parents that this Barbie is "rated PG-13" and might not be suited for every little girl in New York or any other place.

Maybe they should make a Rod Taylor doll to go with Tippi Hedren to help fight off The Birds'

Breakfast With SantaDec. 20 • 8-10 a.m.Join Santa for a breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn Select Decatur Conference Center after he rides in on a Decatur fire truck. Tickets must be purchased in advance – $12 for adults, $7 for children under 12 – use your credit card online at www.decaturdba.com or pay by cash, check or debit card at Decatur CD, 356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Straight out of a Hollywood movie, the "E7" may be the police car of the future.

"You think about Knight Rider and all these fictional characters," said William Santana Li, chairman and CEO of the Atlanta-based Carbon Motors Corporation. "This car is actually real."

A prototype model of the E7 is on a nine-city U.S. tour, as Carbon Motors executives market the car to law enforcement officials and municipal fleet managers.Unlike conventional police cruisers, which are retrofitted consumer vehicles such as the Ford Crown Victoria, the E7 is the first car designed and built specifically for law enforcement.

"You would never send a pickup truck to go put out a fire," Li said. "Why would you send a family sedan to go take care of a homeland-security issue?"

Flashing emergency lights are embedded in the E7's frame, making the car aerodynamic and visible from all directions. The front seats are designed with extra space to accommodate a police officer's utility belt.he rear passenger compartment is completely sealed off from the cockpit. Molded plastic seats in back allow for easy cleaning and prevent prisoners from hiding contraband.

Two front-mounted cameras automatically scan license plates of nearby vehicles and alert police when they find a car flagged as stolen or involved in some other crime. According to developers, the car's onboard equipment can also detect nuclear and biological threats.

Li said the car's 300 bhp forced-induction 3.0-diesel engine will deliver 420 lb-ft of torque and propel the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, with a governed top speed of 155 mph.

He also said the E7's engine, which can run on either ultra-low sulfur diesel or biodiesel, will have a combined fuel economy rating of 28 to 30 mpg — up to 40 percent more fuel efficient than conventional police cruisers.

As Decatur weighs the possibility of expanding its borders, neighboring Avondale Estates is again considering annexation as well.

The two west DeKalb County cities’ futures may be intertwined. Avondale leaders say that if Decatur moves forward on discussions to annex along East Ponce de Leon Avenue, which runs through both cities, they would have to annex from their end, to meet at Sams Crossing.Otherwise, Mayor Ed Rieker said, the city could lose the chance to square its borders and add more commercial property to its tax rolls.

“If we don’t control it, Decatur might,” Rieker said of the mostly industrial and commercial land that lies in unincorporated DeKalb County between the cities. Avondale is considering whether to add about 80 businesses from the East Ponce/Laredo Drive area, as well as a handful more along East College Avenue.AJC full story

THE SILVER SCREAM SPOOK SHOW is a 30 minute live stage show filled with magic tricks, dancing girls, jokes, spectacle and frights! Sort of like The Munsters meets Pee Wee's Playhouse! You have to see it to believe it! We follow it with a classic horror movie on actual 35mm film!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Old Campus GrillThe Campus Grill & Restaurant stood for many years at the corner of N. McDonough and Howard and was a favorite for Agnes Scott College students as well as students from Decatur High School.

Rare photo, first one I have seen of the building.The Campus Grill was torn down circa 1960 to make room for...well nothing.

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Welcome toNext Stop... DecaturHere you will find all kinds of photos, some new and some vintage, and sometimes even Decatur/Atlanta/World news. Also showbiz news, so sit back and have some fun.....Look out, sign-post up ahead.....NEXTSTOP...DECATUR, GA.

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Decatur High School Football

The Saturday location will be across the street from the Chik-Fil-A on N. McDonough in downtown Decatur.--Open Year-RoundSaturday Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Located near 498 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA

Wednesday Hours: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Located at 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA

Field Trips with Sue is an award winning blog about things to do with kids in and around metro Atlanta and sometimes beyond. The blog is a Nickelodeon Parent’s Pick winner and a featured blog on Raveable.com, (named by Travel + Leisure magazine as a top travel site). The blog is featured on ATL Insider (the website of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau) and has featured posts on national travel site, Travel Savvy Mom. Bi-monthly, see Field Trips with Sue segments on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta and occasionally the local Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA.

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Remembering the Past will Help build the Future

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Wanted:Pictures of The Decatur Theatre, Scott Drive-InTheatre , The Suburban Plaza Theatre and The Dekalb Theatre,North Dekalb Theatre,Toco Hill Theatre, The Emory, and /or any old photos of Downtown Decatur,GA.Please contact me if you have any photos that you think might be of interest. I would love to have a Decatur Theatre ticket stub.ThanksPlease visit myDecatur Theatresite.Also visit my Scott Drive-In site.Also visit my North 85 Twin Drive-Insite.

REGATOR APPROVED

The Court House looks so much better without that bandstand built in the middle of the front steps. Why would they block the front view. Why don't they move it to the left about 100 feet over in the grass area.

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Comment:Will be visiting Decatur from Philadelphia for Christmas...and I am counting down the hours. My wife, daughter and I are making it an 800-mile holiday road trip to Atlanta...love it! Many thanks for your site...it keeps me close to beautiful Decatur all year round.- Carlos from Phoenixville, PA

Hey Decatur, GA! visting from Downey, CA to run the marathon- thanks for the course support- loved the signs and spirit and hope to visit ur town during this stay or the next. Thanks again guys&gals- u were awesome! : Marina from Downey, Calif.